Qualicaps expanding in Whitsett

By Steve Huffman / Times-News

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 05:45 PM.

“Our highly skilled workforce is a major reason why North Carolina has one of the fastest-growing bioscience clusters in the nation,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “We thank Qualicaps for choosing to reinvest in North Carolina and wish them success in Guilford County.”

WHITSETT – The governor’s office announced Friday the expansion of a plant here that manufactures gelatin capsules – a move that will bring with it 123 new jobs.

The three-year expansion is planned for Qualicaps Inc., located at 6505 Franz Warner Parkway. Qualicaps will invest more than $20 million during its 100,000-square-foot expansion, state and local economic officials said.

Qualicaps is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualicaps Group, a leading manufacturer and supplier of two-piece medical and nutrition-grade gelatin capsules. The company presently employs more than 150 people at its Whitsett plant.

Officials with Qualicaps said salaries for the new jobs will vary by function, but the average annual payroll for them will be almost $4.7 million.

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $235,000. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation and receipt of a local funding match.

“Qualicaps has been a part of North Carolina for almost 20 years and the One NC Fund helped make it possible for us to continue our heritage and growth in the state,” said Michael D. Rowan, president of Qualicaps Americas and Equipment. “We look forward to continued success in Guilford County for our business, our employees and North Carolina.”

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.

“Our highly skilled workforce is a major reason why North Carolina has one of the fastest-growing bioscience clusters in the nation,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “We thank Qualicaps for choosing to reinvest in North Carolina and wish them success in Guilford County.”